Let me start by saying that the Humber Clipper is not a particularly valuable or sought after (as in collectable) bike. I say that in response to the OP's first post/thread regarding the bike in question.

I have been there and experienced much of what concerns the OP. My first ever vintage road bike was a Sekine Medial, a very nice bike, in my completely unschooled opinion. I stripped the bike of all components, paint and art. I repainted the bike. I put it back together and tuned it up as best I could, back then.

I took the bike out for its first ride. With-in a very short period of time and distance covered I learned that the bike was way too big for me. I learned that it pulled hard to the right, a symptom I now know is indicative of a bent frame and/or fork. And, though it would not have occurred to me at the time, destroying original paint/art is NOT a good idea. This is the bike that taught me so much - my first vintage road bike restoration...


So what would I advise?

First understand that, unless you have the parts needed already, getting the Clipper road worthy will set you back lots of $$$. Second, if the OP wants to pretty the bike up, meaning paint and art, there goes more $$$. If work has to be farmed out, you guessed it, more money. I got this Torpado for free and the only things I had to buy were tires, cables, chain, hoods, handlebar tape, paint (I paint my bikes with a one inch paint brush) and art. So this free to me bike...


...set me back a few hundred dollars CND and I had all of the components already tucked away in my vintage bike components stash. From free to all that $$$, doing all the work myself, to come up with this bike that I lost money on when I sold it...



Had I needed to buy wheels, a saddle, steering stem, handlebar, brakes - this list goes on for a while, then I could easily add hundreds more unless I bought a doner bike. All that said...

The Humber Clipper will cost more to refurbish or restore than it will ever be worth, in dollars and cents (perhaps sense is the best word). However, the fun of finding, researching, building and then riding the bike will make the entire effort worth while. You know why I say that?

Because I am going to the local department store, today, to buy three cans of this (one red, one yellow and one green)...




I will use the 1" paint brush to paint this old Legnano...



Once completed, I will have more invested in the bike than it will be worth. But that does not bother me. And you know why..?

Because I am having fun and that, to a man who is close to eighty years old, is really really important. Enjoy the moment - you only get to use it once.